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- C2 THE OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, October 4, 2000 B (Continued from page C1) e s t W h e e l s · O a k v i l l e By Malcolm Gunn SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Improved driving experience back comparison drives in competitors like the Ford Windstar and Honda Odyssey. The overwhelming impres sion I was left with was just how far minivans have come since Chrysler first brought them to market. I've listed convenience features, styling effects and interior appoint ments, but the driving experience has really been refined through increased engine power and a long list of func tional improvements that include a 20% increase in torsional body stiffness, the addition of about 40 lbs more steel rein forcement to the structure, bigger brakes and a host of noise vibration and harshness (NVH) reductions courtesy of a thicker underhood silence pad, instrument braces, more gaskets and liners, better insulation and even through revised aerodynamic roof rails. Chrysler will offer a simplified line up of nine different models in Canada -- six FWD versions and three AWD models. Long-wheelbase (LWB) minivans like the Dodge Grand Caravan in basic 'SE' trim or upgraded 'Sport' trim and Chrysler Town & Country models in LXi or 'Limited' trim are rolling of the Windsor assembly line this September. The smaller short-wheelbase (SWB) Dodge Caravan models -- 'SE' and 'Sport' -- will debut a little later in October. "You know," Ed Brust, president and CEO of DaimlerChrysler Canada told me, "We're working on the exact num bers right now but, sometime this fall, we expect to be at a dealership some where congratulating a customer for purchasing that one-millionth minivan sold in Canada." Suggested retail price for the 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan Sport is $29,505. Grand Caravan ES starts at $37,600; $41,430 for the all-wheel drive version. 2001 Chrysler Town & Country LXi is priced at $41,150. Town & Country Limited starts at $46,150. Town & Country Limited starts at $46,970, add $3,060 for all-wheel drive edition. O ne of the most impor tant rites of passage in any young person's life is the purchase of that first car. For many it is the first big step towards freedom and independence. In the late summer of 1969, I was barely past my teen years and itching -- scratch ing furiously would be more FINE UNES A fond look at classic cars correct -- for a taste of my very own personal transporta tion. But it couldn't be just any dopey jalopy. Being a car guy meant it had to possess a sig nificant dose of built-in cool ness. A car that would show case my obvious good taste in automobiles. But most impor tantly it had to be a car that both my buddies and any prospective dates would respect and admire me for, and not something that would result in much derisive finger pointing and gales of uncon trollable laughter. That last point was to be avoided at all costs. My father felt my pain and Ipffered to help. He also, I pbelieve, wished to see a bit less (pegging from me whenever I (needed some wheels. A few weeks later Dad arrived home from work with great news. He had been casu ally chatting to a man on the bus about my dilemma. This gentleman mentioned he had a car parked in his driveway that he was no longer using. Because it was the first new car he ever owned, he was reluctant to part with it, but his wife was now bugging him in no uncertain terms to remove it from their driveway. Upon further cross-examination, my dad stated that the superfluous sedan in question was a 1955 Chevrolet. Keep in mind that in the fall (See `Firsf page C3) Hove your winter service done NOUJ by our Quality Approved Shop Engine Analysis Oil, Lube and Filter Check All Emission Filters Pressure Check of Cooling System Check All Coolant Hoses Check Coolant Level and Strength Check Battery Fluid Level Perform Battery Load Test Perform AVR Charging System Test Inspect Brakes: Front & Rear Transmission Fluid Check Check W iper Blade C ondition Rotate All Tires Adjust Drive Belts Suspension & Exhaust System Inspection Top Up Washer Fluid (Bottle included) D rive C lea n R e p a ir C e n t r e / >< ^ i T / J I V V7 i While m ost Q .E .W . N 5 S . S E R V IC E R O . u Accredited Repair Facility '+ ! C O R N W A LL RD. ° s f$ 573 Chartwell Rd. OAKVILLE l., U...aVLn.Sj SPEERS RD C -!i (905) 844-9641 o f th e '50s vintage iro n parading around the streets to d a y is restored to w ith in an inch o f its life, 30 years ago th is is m ore like w hat you m ight see. Coveted by car enth u sia sts but hardly enshrined, the a u th o r's '55 C hevy (above) w as typ ica l o f the c o n d itio n o f a 15-year-old ca r back in 1970. 2000 DAKOTA QUAD CAB Nominations are now being accepted for the 2000 Awards Program Let's recognize the best o f our y o u n g people. If you know a young person, 2000 CHYRSLER NEO N 2000 CHRYSLER CIRRUS 2000 DODGE CARAVAN & GR. CARAVAN aged 6 to 18, who is involved in worth while community service; a special person who is contributing while living with a limitation; a youth who has performed an act of heroism; or a 'good kid' who shows a commitment to making life better for others, doing more than is normally expected of someone their age - help us recognize their contribution - nominate them today! 2000 JEEP CHEROKEE 2000 TO W N & COUNTRY Financing A s Low As THERE HAS NEVER BEEN fft A BETTER TIME W TO BUY A 2000 | . FROM * GLENLEVEN! Nom inations w ill be accepted until October 31,2000. Contact this newspaper or the Ontario Community Newspapers Association at 905^39-8720, Loc. < -- Ci i ni l vi n C hrysler 905-845-7575 2 3 8 8 ROYAL WI NDSOR DRIVE, OAKVILLE